THE FAR EASTERN CRISIS



continued' League support by the League states particularly con-
cerned. As is obvious no specific vote or conclusive forecast of League
policy in such respects is possible inasmuch as the League's position
will undoubtedly be governed by unforeseeable political situations.
What Avenol had to say in these respects, however, carried connota-
tions of my discussion of this subject in Consulate's despatches 835
political, March 7 and 863 political, April 5.77
  4. In this general connection on the basis that League action rests
upon the will of League states particularly the Great Powers com-
petent opinion in Geneva presents the Far Eastern question at least
in some of its aspects as possibly coming before the League in two
ways.
  (a) Great Britain if she finds her interests in the Far East vitally
affected may at some stage seek to employ the League of Nations as
an agency to promote her policy.
  (b) France with her relations with the Soviet Government in the
background and also as associated with the question of Russia's pos-
sible approach to the League might bring the question into the League
to accomplish a primarily political maneuver (Consulate's despatch
858 political March 27 [28] .78
  The recent anti-Japanese utterances of Mussolini in so far as they
may reflect definite Italian policy are also seen as having a possible
bearing oni the situation.
  5. Avenol requested that I regard his expressions to me as strictly
confidential.
                                                           GILBERT

793.94/6625: Telegram
The Consul General at Canton (Ballantine) to the Secretary of State

                                    CANTON, April 29, 1934-noon.
                                    [Received April 29-7:28 a. m.]
  Consuls at Canton have received for transmission a declaration dated
April 27 by the Southwest Political Council addressed to the League
of Nations and to the Ministers of the signatory powers of the Nine-
Power Pact. This declaration asserts that the statement of policy
issued by the Japanese Foreign Office on April 17 threatens the in-
dependence of China and the peace of the Far East and it calls upon
the League and the parties to the Nine-Power Treaty to discharge
their obligations under existing instruments aimed at maintaining
international peace.

  MNeither printed.
  '8 Not printed.



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